Financial abuse

Financial abuse occurs when a partner, friend or family member manipulates your decision-making, or controls access to your money or other property without your consent. It can happen to anyone, no matter how old you are or how much money you have. The​ ASIC MoneySmart website has tips and helpful links.

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Queensland Government media release Christmas and school holidays can often be tough for Queensland families struggling with financial pressures, which is why it’s important to remember that help is just a phone call away. Acting Minister for Communities Shannon Fentiman said December and January...

There is a range of Queensland Government rebates and concessions to support households to manage their electricity costs. Do you, your clients or someone you know have a valid concession card which could give you access to a $340 per year electricity rebate? Make sure you're not missing out. Phone...

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has revamped its energy price comparison website Energy Made Easy. The aim of Energy Made Easy is to help residential and small business energy consumers to navigate the often complex electricity and gas retail markets to find a suitable energy offer. This...

Women face specific challenges when it comes to managing their money. Many women take time out of the paid workforce to care for others, which reduces their retirement savings. With a longer life expectancy than men, this often puts women in a particularly vulnerable position when it comes to their...

Queensland Government media release Funding of up to $10,000 is available to community groups interested in protecting our region’s drinking water catchments, as part of the annual Water for Life community grants program. Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham said...

Did you know community based organisations can apply for funding to employ a trainee within your organisation? Funding is still available under the First Start program in 2017-18 for not-for-profit organisations to offer opportunities to young people and disadvantaged job seekers to gain nationally...

If you or someone you know need a meal this Christmas here are some places providing meals around Brisbane over the Chrismas period. End of season feast, gift and hamper, Jeays St Community Centre, 12 Jeays St, Bowen Hills, 20 December 12:00pm End of year free community lunch (tel 07 3358 5600),...

Legal Aid Queensland has published a series of captioned recordings about their services on their YouTube channel . Videos for community, health and education workers can be found here and include their published community legal education webinars. The next webinar is Child Protection - the law and...

Queensland Government media release The Palaszczuk Government will ensure Queenslanders’ power bills are pegged to average inflation over the next two years and cut $50 a year from bills as part of a $2 billion Affordable Energy Plan to provide cost of living relief. The move will see all the...

The Women's Legal Service Queensland has developed the Penda app, a new free smartphone app to provide women who have experienced domestic and family violence with financial, legal and referral information. It has been tailored for intimate relationships but still may be relevant to other...

The Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) is a free, fair and independent dispute resolution service for unresolved complaints with your electricity, gas or water supplier. They are committed to providing an effective, efficient and confidential service for residential and small business...

Foresters Community Finance is an ethical lender with a mission to use money for the financially excluded. They lend up to $4,000 to individuals who cannot access finance elsewhere at reasonable rates. Foresters provide fast and affordable loans to people and organisations to help them take control...

Good Shepherd Microfinance is Australia's largest microfinance organisation. They offer a range of people-centred, affordable financial programs for people on low incomes at different financial stages of their lives. Their aim is to enable clients to realise their own economic wellbeing, as they...

Are you looking for support in Queensland, or trying to find a service that meets your needs? Now you can search oneplace , the service directory hosted by the Queensland Family and Child Commission. oneplace is an easily accessible directory of community services to help Queensland families to get...

The Financial Counsellors' Association of Queensland is the peak professional body representing the membership of 74 Financial Counsellors throughout inner city, suburban and regional Queensland. The FCAQ is also a not for profit organisation whose members provide a fee and accessible financial...

The Queensland Government has launched a website to provide information on all the concessions and rebates available to assist eligible households in Queensland with the cost of living. For more information visit the Smart Savings website. As at October 2017, the following subsidy programs and...

QCOSS has held a number of webinars on various topics related to the Cost of Living. You can watch a recording of the webinars or download a copy of the presentations. Energy literacy webinar This webinar covers everything you need to know about energy bills including how to read a bill, what the...

QCOSS has developed a number of energy factsheets which you can print to hand out to clients. The factsheets cover various topics such as energy saving tip, what to do if you can't pay an energy bill, and tips on comparing energy offers and plans. To download these factsheets, click here .

Bulk hot water is a system that provides heated water to residents in multi-dwelling residences such as apartment buildings or multi-unti complexes via a centralised or common boile or a bank of instant water heaters. Your bulk hot water provider may be an energy retailer or the bulk hot water...

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIFW) published Australia's Welfare in October 2017. The report provides an authoritative overview of the wellbeing of Australians, examining a wide range of relevant topics. Read the report here.

Saver Plus is Australia's largest and longest running matched savings and financial education program, delivered locally by community organisations in 60 locations across Australia. The program assists individuals and families on lower incomes to develop long-term saving habits and reach a savings...

ASIC's MoneySmart website has a range of resources to help Australians take steps to improve their personal finances. They offer free, independent guidance to help people make the most of their money. The site includes financial calculators and tools, how to get your money organised, tips on what...

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published a factsheet to help consumers understand the circumstances in which they will get a smart meter under new rules to expand competition in metering from December 2017. The factsheet also explains how consumers will be affected when a smart meter is...

Legal Aid have a series of captioned recordings about Legal Aid Queensland services on their YouTube channel . Videos for community, health and education workers can be found here and include their published community legal education webinars. Upcoming webinars can be found on the Information for...

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The National Energy Customer Framework (NECF), was introduced to Queensland on 1 July 2015. NECF is a set of national laws, rules and regulations governing the sale and supply of energy (electricity and reticulated natural gas) to consumers. It was developed under cooperative arrangements between...

The Customer Water and Wastewater Code outlines the protections for small customers in South East Queensland in relation to water. The Code sets the standard of service that council-owned water businesses in SEQ must offer their customers.

There are a range of legal structures which may be suitable for Queensland not-for-profit community groups. The four main options are: an incorporated association: Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (QLD) and Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999 (QLD) a company limited by guarantee:...

With the end of the year fast approaching it can be hard to escape all the enticements to spend big over the festive season, but for many Queenslanders this time of year can bring extra financial stress.

We’ve put together some tips to help those who may be struggling with budget...

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) recently released a new report revealing the interrelated nature of poverty and disadvantage, highlighting key areas in Queensland which need to be addressed with better targeted programs, policies and investment.

Megan Smith, Homelessness Planning and Coordination Officer for Central Queensland, Queensland Council of Social Service

In light of recent severe weather events, discussions on the impact on people experiencing poverty and disadvantage and the wider sector that supports them is emerging. As a non-scientist Social Worker I will leave the debate surrounding climate change and have written this Blog on the...